(1) The State Government shall, by notification, constitute a Tree Authority for each urban area and for each rural area.
(2) Such Authority shall consist of five members as follows:- 1[(a) For urban areas,-
(i) The Forest Officer incharge of a Territorial Forest Circle – chairman;
(ii) The Joint Director Horticultural, having Jurisdiction;
(iii) The Superintending Engineer, Communication and Building having jurisdiction;
(iv) In respect of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike a representative of the Commissioner and in respect of other Corporations and Muncipalities the Commissioner of City Corporation or Municipality, as the case may be;
(v) One Botanist or Ecologist nominated by the State Government.]1 8
1. Substituted by Act 08 of 2015 w.e.f. 06.02.2015.
1[(b) For a rural area specified in Schedule-I,-
(i) The Forest Officer incharge of a Territorial Forest Circle – Chairman;
(ii) The Deputy Commissioner of the district or his representative not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner;
(iii) The Superintending Engineer Communication and Buildings having jurisdiction; and
(iv) two non-official members with background in Environmental Conservation and Protection nominated by the State Government.]1
1. Substituted by Act 08 of 2015 w.e.f. 06.02.2015.
(c) For a rural area specified in Schedule II ,- 1[(i) the Adhyaksha of the Taluk Panchayat;]1
1. Substituted by Act 12 of 1998 w.e.f. 11.5.1998
(ii) the Block Development Officer having jurisdiction;
(iii) the Assistant Conservator of Forests nominated by the Divisional Forest Officer;
(iv) the District Horticultural Officer having jurisdiction:
1[(v) one member of the Taluk Panchayat nominated by the Adhyaksha:]1
1. Substituted by Act 12 of 1998 w.e.f. 11.5.1998
(3) The State Government shall appoint one of the members to be the Chairman.
(4) The Tree Authority may co-opt in such manner and for such period as it may determine not more than three representatives of non-official organisations having special knowledge or practical experience in the preservation of trees.